Today was the day, we could all feel it this morning. Yesterday was rainy and blustery, but today… Today we have beautiful weather. We made careful preparations this morning, getting things set up just right for the big moment.
Ladies and gentlemen….I present to you..the sanctuary’s “moon shot.”
Willy B climbed on the platform in the courtyard!!!
But he wasn’t finished, there…
Not only did he climb, he climbed all the way to the TOP!
We’ve got some video footage for you tomorrow, but for now, let’s just drink this special moment in. Together!
Hurray! I’m so happy and do proud of that boy. What a brave boy he is; I wonder what he thought of the view from up there? ??????
Thank you for sharing such wonderful news! This brought tears of joy.
Way to go, Willie B! So proud of you! My smile is a mile wide. Hope you enjoyed it!
Every day it does my heart good to open these posts and enjoy the chimp’s antics. And today’s is no exception. Thank you for the work you all contribute to the chimps’ lives and to ours out here in the ether. I’m grateful beyond measure.
WOO-HOO !!!
What fabulous news. So proud of the big boy. Can’t wait to see the video. I wonder who will be next ??
Wow. I’ve had a hard few days and this just let the tears and stress rip. Thank you Willy B! What a brave soul you are. I just really can’t possibly imagine how it feels and what he must be thinking. Indeed, it IS his moon shot. He’s traveled a very long way through tremendous stress, darkness, pain, loneliness, fear, danger and risk to get where he is. That can never be considered less than monumental for any creature to achieve.
Beautifully written!
Hope he goes and tells the girls how cool his experience was and that they should try to go outside! Fantastic!!!
WOW! Just WOW! I am smiling from ear to ear. Look at that last photo, it says EVERYTHING! I am so excited for and so very proud of Willy B. WOW. A whole new world awaits, and it changes everyday. (I can only imagine your excitement, well done.)
Wait until he goes back inside and tells the girls!!!
Huge SMILE! There courage blows me away. Humas would have been crushed if they had to endure what the chimps were subjected to. They teach us something everyday.
Way to go Willy B! You’re da man!
We’re celebrating with you in St. Louis! Go Willy B. Go!!!
Happy tears for this beautiful boy’s courage. He picked a most spectacular day for his adventure. I hope Honey B and Mave will join him soon??
Willy B. you are an incredibly brave soul… and from now on.. What Places You’ll Go… So amazing that he is feeling comfortable enough to do this… The spirit of these individuals is strong and enduring. Looking forward to each new day of steps… Thanks for the GREAT photos. <3 The care and patience the staff provides is just as WOW as Will b.'s courage!
Anna!
I love how you didn’t make us wait until evening for this fabulous news!
I certainly hope there was something special waiting for him at the top!
I think the more time he spends out there, the more curiosity is going to drag the girls out after him. When they realize all the good snacks are out there and he’s not sharing, they will join him. How special that he went to the top with no roof over him! Almost like watching a child take their 1st steps, right?!
Thanks for the early post! Squee!
Yay for Willy B !
I knew you could do it 🙂
Yay Willy B.!!! I’ve been rooting for you! So happy you made it to the top, into the warm sunshine, where you truly belong!
This is wonderful news! I hope this will encourage the girls to follow his example.
Yaaaaaay! He trusted and he did it!!! Way to go handsome.
Incredible! What a brave soul. This made my day. Bravo Willy B!!!
SO happy for Willy B ????. What a wonderful day for Willy, the other chimps and the caregivers as well. Can’t wait to see what happens next ?.
I forgot to write, the photo at the top of this blog title, is now my computer screen photo. As inspiration that we can not only face the vast, scary unknown – – but walk through it, climb it and look out over the beautiful view!!!
I couldn’t be happier or prouder for Willy B! I am so excited to see him on the platform. I just had to share this momentous occasion with my Facebook friends. I know they will be as excited as we all are. Way to go Willy B! Now, let’s see if the girls will follow him out there. I think Mave will be next to come out.
This is great news. I am so happy for him, discovering a whole new world out there, on his own terms. He is very brave. Looking forward to the days when Honey B and Mave will make it out there to take in the fresh air and breathtaking scenery too.
Oh my heart…and I am so thankful to all of you loving caretakers at the sanctuary for providing the safe feeling, the atmosphere and the actual structure that encourages the bravery we saw today.
Willy B, King of the World.
Thanks to everyone at CSNW who made this possible, who nurtured Willy B through the winter and gained his trust, who got up early to put enrichment on the platforms, who crouched for hours with a camera to capture the special moments. We also celebrate you today!
I wanted to run around telling everyone! Thank you for allowing him to make his own choices, but giving him some loving encouragement. High fives to all!
Congratulations to all of you! Well done, Willy B!
Yippppeeeeeeeee!!!!!
BRAVO!! AB fab news!! Bet the others will follow in time! Wonder if it had anything to do with the full moon!! LOL Love and hugs to you all…
g u l p…The second I read, “He did it,” my heart started POUNDING a mile a minute…Of course, I cried tears of pure joy knowing Willy B…this magnificent, innocent chimp & lovable soul (we’ve all rallied behind) was able to overcome his fear of the unknown with such heartwarming & courageous bravery..
I can’t help but wonder what this huge accomplishment felt like for him as he sat on the top of that big platform, watching & breathing in the sounds & sights of a world he didn’t know existed.. the sky & wide open spaces, grass, mountains, trees upon trees & even the beautiful birds., etc, etc..Since chimps have such a strong, innate sense of equity among themselves, I also wonder if they feel a sense of “pride” upon such a big accomplishment as Willy B’s…
Dear Caretakers…I can only begin to imagine your own sense of pride & beaming smiles while you probably held your breath for a moment…bravo… BRAVO…
Willy B. I am soooo proud of you climbing on the platform and going all the way
to the top. I believe you have found your true “freedom” now to do what makes
you happy and FREE. You are very brave and now the world is open to new
challenges and adventures. You can do it all. Good luck.
This was Willy B’s day in the sun! He was really enjoying himself. The girls will follow. Can’t wait for that moment to happen! Congratulations to Willy B!
OUTSTANDING!!!!!!
News like this just gives me chills! After all they’ve been through, this is the epitome of “what they want, when they want.” And now he sits majestic, in the spring sun, surrounded by grass and sky and friends. As I said, chills.
How brilliant of Willy B ! Loove your write ups on the life and times of the chimpanzees at Cle Elum. Wondering whether the original seven saw Willy B’s feat.
What a great day! That had to take some guts!